chalk? or straps....

Chalk on all deadlifts (I consider straps to be cheating yourself) or any primary working sets of compound movements. Straps on any other movement and when I'm not concerned about grip strength like dumbell lunges or dumbell step ups

haha, Ive also seen Dorian Yates where lifting gloves, that doesnt mean they where necessary or any less lame. Proponents of straps will say that they can get more reps because there grip doesnt fail, bla bla...last time I checked this was a Powerlifting and Strongman section. As a competive powerlifter I would get laughed out of my gym for wearing straps....this strap issue would be better served in the natural bodybuilding section I think.

haha, Ive also seen Dorian Yates where lifting gloves, that doesnt mean they where necessary or any less lame. Proponents of straps will say that they can get more reps because there grip doesnt fail, bla bla...last time I checked this was a Powerlifting and Strongman section. As a competive powerlifter I would get laughed out of my gym for wearing straps....this strap issue would be better served in the natural bodybuilding section I think.

I agree in that straps are next to worthless as far as powerlifting is concerned. My point is that to make a statement that only newbs need straps is a flat out lie, actually as one would become more advanced he would be more likely to need straps, as his larger muscle groups would be less likely to fail before his grip.

I think if your intention is to truly isolate the target muscles til failure then yes, straps have their place. But my grip strength and pride are too important to me; I don't want to lift something I'm not strong enough to hold using chalk. Would rather force myself to improve my grip.

They have there place. Strongman much more so than powerlifting, but even strongmen allowed straps in contest need absurd grip that straps may not be the best for building.

I don't think ATHLETES should use them at all, just like I don't think powerlifters should (which I said BTW). And I was speaking solely about physique trainees, although I realize (after you said it actually) that this is in PLing/Strongman subforum but was speaking specifically about physique (in relation to your comment that this would be better served in the BBing section).

Thought that was apparent when I brought up a guy who trains for his physique (Terry Crews).

I have seen guys like Kirk Karwalski use straps more than a decade ago and that guy could Squat 1,004!!! I would say that was Advanced as far as being an athlete!! Hahaha he would use them on back days

haha, Ive also seen Dorian Yates where lifting gloves, that doesnt mean they where necessary or any less lame. Proponents of straps will say that they can get more reps because there grip doesnt fail, bla bla...last time I checked this was a Powerlifting and Strongman section. As a competive powerlifter I would get laughed out of my gym for wearing straps....this strap issue would be better served in the natural bodybuilding section I think.

That's funny because every powerlifter I've ever trained with owns a pair of straps to use for overload and/or if they have injury issues. Also, Kroc, Wendler, Chuck, Lilly, etc. have all used straps at various times in their training. You might want to park the attitude and open your mind a little bit.

Chris Duffin aka Kabuki wears straps and hold multiple records. Why don't you go post in his thread on here that he is a newbie because he uses straps?

That's funny because every powerlifter I've ever trained with owns a pair of straps to use for overload and/or if they have injury issues. Also, Kroc, Wendler, Chuck, Lilly, etc. have all used straps at various times in their training. You might want to park the attitude and open your mind a little bit.

Chris Duffin aka Kabuki wears straps and hold multiple records. Why don't you go post in his thread on here that he is a newbie because he uses straps?

I did not know that, very interesting.

I knew they had their place, but didn't think many PLers would find use for them.

i use straps like others have said for kroc rows, high rep BB rows, high rep deadlifts. i also do farmers and lots of KB work along with all my max work with deads are without straps. my grip has gotten stronger from that combination. my grip is now not the weak link in farmers anymore. i will dump a load when the pain gets to be too much but i rarely dump due to grip loss.

1) If the grip becomes a limiting factor, and I need to really train hard, I will use straps, as I want to get everything from the legs, hips, back and not let the grip get in the way.
2) If it is pulling as in deads, and I am going over 3-5 reps. I use straps so I pull without torquing my torso using a mixed grip for higfher reps. I always use straps for stuff like RDL's, x8's x10's+ and shrugs, maybe even bent rows.
3) I also have noticed, that if my dead goes up #25, my grip, even though I was using straps, will follow suit most times and be fine for low reps and max weights.
4) Why not use both? I mean why limit your choices?
5) Gripping muscles seem to recover pretty quickly (2 days) so I always have room for grip work ie: static holds or some squeezing and one arm pickups.
6) I use chalk quite a bit too.
7) If strapping, wear them more down on the back of the hand then wrap, don't wear them on the wrists.

But what if he's not training grip, but grip becomes the limiting factor in working his posterior chain? There is always time to train grip strength on the side. I used to feel the same way you did, but found it was more from an ego base instead of using any tools made available to get all over stronger.
Just my 2 cents ;-)

Conversely, if you NEVER use straps, your grip may NEVER be the problem. I don't use em, and I've not ever had an issue with grip strength giving out before the muscle I'm working does.

Stay ahead of the game with grip strength, straps will never be necessary. But, to each their own. More than 1 way to skin a cat.

And honestly 5 years ago, I would have agreed totally with your statement. Here' s a few things...
You look from your stats that you are a big guy, so big hands. I have been said to have mitts, but the blessing were not all even across the board for me haha. Other guys with smaller hands (Kirk Karwoski was one) may need the straps for getting the work in, then worry about grip issues after they get there.
Pulling with a mixed grip for reps higher than 6's-8's-10's tends to torque the torso in one given direction to either the left or right.
Just my 2 pesos my friend.
All the best in the quest

I agree on mixed grip; I save that for lower rep work (main lift in 5/3/1), but use double overhand for assistance work. I also swap the over/under hand as well, but not sure that's germane to this discussion.